Gun for muzzle-loader season

[Ole Humpback]

I've been looking at getting a gun for muzzle loader season here in Indiana. I've been eyeing a reproduction 1863 54 caliber Sharps or reproduction Missouri River 50 caliber Hawken:

http://www.shilohrifle.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=28

http://www.cherrys.com/ped_rif1.htm

But Indiana DNR states that the gun has to be loaded through the muzzle. I'm kinda of confused as I didn't think that the 63 Sharps used self contained cartridges & a percussion cap. The Hawken is a true muzzle loader, but I like the Sharps because you can open it at the breech and make life so much easier for cleaning.

Even if the Sharps was a breech loader, could it be loaded through the muzzle to meet the muzzle loading requirement?

 

[mykeal]

Yes, it could be. But the regulation says it MUST be loaded from the muzzle, not 'you actually loaded a particular charge that way'. The fact that you can load it from the breech disqualifies it.

 

[Ole Humpback]

Thats a bummer, but I think the Sharps might solve another issue I have here in Indiana: rifles for deer season. You can't use a rifle for deer unless it shoots pistol ammo or a bullet .357" or bigger and has a case between 1.16"-1.625" in length. A paper cartridge of the proper size should be legal for deer. The rules say nothing about it having to be a center fire cartridge using smokeless powder.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I guess the Ferguson stays at home.

 

[napp]

I don't hunt anymore; but when I did, I found the difference in accuracy between rifles to be almost negligible...the weight and ease of handling not so much so. Just sayin'.....

 

[Ole Humpback]

Indiana is a slug only state for deer. AFAIK, there isn't a shotgun and a slug that can make a 150-200yd kill shot easily & repeatably. And they have some funky rules for rifles that limit there effective range to just beyond that of a shotgun, thats where wildcats step in. But spending the money to have a custom one off gun built just for Indiana when I might move is kinda silly. Spending the money on a gun that will accept custom one off rounds time after time is a worthy investment IMO. And, a 54 caliber Sharps with a decent sized load can make some good ranged shots far in excess of a shotgun or pistol cartridge shooting rifle.